Chapter Seven
Lorenzo stepped through the doorway to the enclosed stalls, Riley close behind him. The wind still howled, but the Tempest Winds, entrapped in their equine bodies, were silent. But he felt the power humming through the air.
They were waiting for their moment.
He flexed his hand, prepared for anything. One of the horses gave an angry scream, and the sound was eerily human. It kicked against the walls. The other three joined in, smashing their big bodies against their enclosures.
He raised a hand. “Calma.”
But the winds didn’t settle. Instead their frenzied actions increased. He ground his teeth together. “Arresto!”
No reaction. The screams and smashing continued. Then four dark winds flew out of the stalls, squeezing through the air slits. They flew into the room, chaotic and angry, like wild bees on a rampage.
When the darkness flew toward Riley, Lorenzo’s chest contracted. No! An image of her broken, bleeding body flashed into his head and adrenaline surged through him.
He wouldn’t let them take her, too.
He jumped in front of her, threw up his hands, and urged his own power forward. The wind stung his eyes and skin.
Air crashed into air, birthing a small storm packed with primal power.
Madre di Dio! The Tempest Winds were stronger than he’d guessed. All this time, they’d been building their strength beyond what he’d thought possible.
If they were freed…his mind shuddered at the horrible possibilities. He had to stop this.
A plank of wood vibrated off the wall and flew at them. Before he could react, Riley lunged in front of him and the plank smacked into her shoulder.
“Stay back!” he yelled. She had no right to put herself in danger.
She shook her head, her scar stark against her skin. “We’ll fight them together.”
The stables rattled with the force of the wind. Breaking wood screeched overhead. The lights flickered, then went off.
Riley held her hand up. When he saw the ball of fire resting on her slim palm, the flames licking up her arm, his mouth dropped open. Another plank flew at them, illuminated by the firelight.
She threw the ball and the board disintegrated into ash. More debris followed, and each time she burned them to dust.
No one other than his brothers had ever stood at his side. No one had ever tried to stand between him and danger.
With Riley beside him, Lorenzo twirled his hand in the air. A spiraling whirlwind developed in front of him, his power singing through his veins. He thrust out his arm, and directed it toward the dark winds.
A groan of wood filled the air. A beam crashed down from the roof and landed a few feet from them.
“They’re tearing the stables apart.” Riley shot another streak of fire. “We need to free the horses and get out of here.”
Another beam crashed down. It glanced Lorenzo’s shoulder and he staggered under the force. White spots danced in front of his eyes and he fought back the pain.
“I can’t leave.” He was the only thing keeping the winds from escaping. “It’s my duty.”
“Screw your duty.” Riley grabbed his arm. “You can’t do anything if you’re dead!”
***
Riley felt the fear of the terrified horses beating at her. She tried to tug Lorenzo toward the doors, but suddenly the wind died away. It was like stepping into the eye of a hurricane.
Lorenzo slid an arm around her and pulled her closer.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
A frown marred his face. “I don’t know. A new tactic, maybe?”
She stared hard at the stalls. Why had the winds backed off?
Then Lorenzo cried out and dropped to his knees. He pressed his hands over his ears. “No!”
Riley’s heart kicked into overdrive. “What is it?”
“Make them stop!”
She dropped beside him, afraid to touch him. Pain was etched on his face. “Goddess, Lorenzo, tell me what to do.”
“They won’t stop.” His voice cracked.
Now she heard them, four voices carried on the air. The whispers were taunting.
Do you remember when we ripped your father from you? The voice was loud and harsh. You did nothing. We killed him. You should be angry. Let the anger through.
“No…no.” Lorenzo shook his head side to side.
Do you remember staring at your father’s broken body? A different voice this time. You lost your childhood and his love. You deserved better.
Lorenzo was gritting his teeth. Something had nicked his face and blood slid down his cheek.
Riley dropped down beside him. The fucking winds were tormenting him. “Shut up, damn you.” How could she fight them? Wildly, she glanced at the horse stalls. There had to be something she could do to stop this.
Do you remember your life before? Love. Laughter. Fun. This voice was wistful, then turned hard. Do you remember that after it was pain, anger, and duty? Didn’t you want more?
Do you remember the first time you kissed a girl? The first time you were with a woman? This voice was seductive and edged in malice. There was no father to offer advice. No father to care.
They were shoving at his worst wounds. No, you fucking don’t. She’d healed him and she wouldn’t let them drag him back. She gripped Lorenzo’s face and forced him to look at her.
“I’m here with you, Lorenzo. I’m here and I care about you.” She wanted to protect him.
Do you really think you can heal him?
Riley’s head jerked up. A frigid breeze swirled around them and for a second, she thought she saw the shapes of men forming in the wind.
You don’t want to heal. The voice sounded faintly amused. Remember your mother, the stench of her burning flesh. Remember her screams.
Riley’s stomach roiled, bile rose in her throat like acid. Lorenzo wrapped an arm around her.
You did well to embrace your fury. The harsh voice was flooded with approval. It festers and lives inside you. Hold onto it.
Despite Riley’s efforts to remain in control, rage oozed inside her, charring her insides. She did remember, as she had every day for the last twenty-eight years.
You killed them all. Your hands are coated with their blood. They deserved it for what they did to your mother, to you.
Lorenzo lifted his head. “Riley.”
You aren’t worthy of love. He’ll never love you. His duty will always come first.
“Fuck you,” she screamed into the wind.
Lorenzo’s hands tightened on her shoulders. “Leave. I’ll try to stop them.”
He was crazy. Here he was being selfless, like her mother had been right up to the moment they set her alight. True love was sacrifice. True love was being there for the person you loved.
“Forget it. I’m not leaving you.” And screw these mind-messing winds.
She stood and called the Flame. It ignited on both her palms, burning red hot. It chased out the sorrow of her memories. She tossed the flames at the stalls.
“No,” Lorenzo yelled.
The wood caught fire. The flames licked hungrily at the stall and the horse inside squealed. The winds picked up again, tearing through the stables and extinguishing the fire.
Lorenzo snatched Riley up and she found herself tossed over his shoulder. With an arm wrapped around her, he raced for the entrance, fighting the windstorm with each step. Around them, wood splintered and horses screamed.
“The horses.” Riley struggled against him. She could feel the fear of the horses beating at her, warring with the need to get to safety.
He cursed and lowered her to the ground. “We need to get out.”
She couldn’t leave the horses. She pressed a hand against his chest. “Please.”
He muttered a curse, then unlatched the nearest stall’s door. She reached for the next one. Horses thundered out, heading for freedom.
When the last animal was freed, Lorenzo grabbed her hand and they raced outside. The strength of the cold gale tore at them with savage claws.
There was a crash of sound and she saw a patch of roof tear off a building. It flew toward them. Lorenzo dived at her, knocking her to the ground. They rolled across the grass as wood and tiles swept past them.
“Come on!” he yelled.
Holding hands, they ran toward the villa. An uprooted tree rushed at them and they dodged. Next, a fence post swung through the air and they ducked.
Riley realized they weren’t going to make it to the house. “They’re tearing the island apart!”
“The old stable.” Lorenzo waved at the closest building. It was old, but solidly built, and made of stone.
He held her close to his side as they ran. Once inside, he crashed the wooden doors closed.
The sound dulled, but the fury of the winds still roared outside. The empty stable was dark and reeked of rotting wood. Moonlight made a courageous attempt to penetrate the grimy windows.
“What can we do?” she asked.
Lorenzo shoved a hand through his hair. “I can’t stop them by myself. I need my brothers.”
“How long until they arrive?”
His face turned grim. “Too long. I can’t allow the Winds to attack the village or get off the island.”
She swallowed. “So what do we do?”
He lifted his chin. “We do nothing, but I can slow them down and keep them busy until my brothers arrive.”
Dread solidified in her belly. “Sacrifice yourself, you mean.”
He yanked her close and kissed her. “I’ll do whatever I have to do to keep you safe.”
“Lorenzo.” She kissed him back, pouring all her feelings into the kiss.
Suddenly the wind outside cut off, leaving a deafening silence.
“Stay safe, Riley,” he murmured. “You have to stay safe.”
Before she could respond, he turned, striding across the stable. He opened the doors and stepped outside. His gaze caught hers, then he slammed the door closed behind him.
Riley hurried over. Damn, the man. He wasn’t doing this alone.
That’s when she realized he’d barred the door and locked her inside.
Oh, no you don’t. Her eyes narrowed.